Friction clutch system

Abstract

A friction clutch system mechanically couples a power source to a driven system of a vehicle to reduce the rotational inertia of the clutch system, provide torsional damping within the system, and minimize vibration (e.g., rattling) between a floater and a flywheel. In one embodiment, the friction clutch system includes a first friction disc assembly directly engaged with a second friction disc assembly. The first disc assembly may include protuberances that extend axially from a hub assembly, which in turn may include damping springs and an internal splined region for coupling to a splined, driven shaft. The second friction disc assembly includes openings, which may take the form of radial slots, configured to engageably receive the protuberances. The first disc assembly may be positioned adjacent to a pressure plate assembly or a flywheel. A floater plate may be located between the first and second friction disc assemblies.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. A friction clutch system comprising:
 a flywheel defining an axis of rotation and having a plurality of pins protruding therefrom; 
 first and second pressure plates; 
 a floater having a front face and a rear face and defining a plurality of pin receivers extending through the floater from the front face to the rear face, the front face interfacing with the first pressure plate and the rear face interfacing with the second pressure plate, each pin receiver having a pin of the plurality of pins slidingly positioned therein, the floater having a plurality of engagement surfaces each extending from the front face to the rear face, the plurality of engagement surfaces each being parallel to the axis of rotation from the front face to the rear face; and 
 a plurality of coupling assemblies each secured to the flywheel and biased into engagement with one of the engagement surfaces of the plurality of surfaces of the floater; and 
 wherein each coupling assembly includes a spring-loaded mechanism arranged to be in radially oriented contact with one of the engagement surfaces of the plurality of engagement surfaces of the floater. 
 
     
     
       2. The friction clutch system of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling assembly includes a leaf spring and a clip. 
     
     
       3. The friction clutch system of  claim 2 , wherein the leaf spring includes two arms extending from an arcuate central portion, the arms being in the radially oriented contact with the floater. 
     
     
       4. A method for coupling a floater to a flywheel, the method comprising:
 positioning the floater adjacent to the flywheel, wherein positioning the floater includes arranging the floater to have a radial gap relative to a protrusion extending from the flywheel; 
 attaching a coupling assembly to the flywheel; and 
 orienting the coupling assembly to absorb kinetic energy of the floater along at least one radial line extending from a center point of the floater, wherein absorption of the kinetic energy permits at least some radial displacement of the floater relative to the flywheel; 
 wherein the coupling assembly includes
 a plurality of sleeves coupled to the flywheel and defining an opening facing inward toward the floater; 
 a plurality of springs, each spring of the plurality of springs being positioned within a sleeve of the plurality of sleeves; 
 a plurality of engagement members slidably engaging the sleeves and protruding out of the sleeves into engagement with the floater. 
 
 
     
     
       5. A friction clutch system comprising:
 a flywheel defining an axis of rotation and having a plurality of pins protruding therefrom; 
 first and second pressure plates; 
 a floater having a front face and a rear face and defining a plurality of pin receivers extending through the floater from the front face to the rear face, the front face interfacing with the first pressure plate and the rear face interfacing with the second pressure plate, each pin receiver having a pin of the plurality of pins slidingly positioned therein, the floater having a plurality of engagement surfaces each extending from the front face to the rear face, the plurality of engagement surfaces each being parallel to the axis of rotation from the front face to the rear face; and 
 a plurality of coupling assemblies each secured to the flywheel and biased into engagement with one of the engagement surfaces of the plurality of surfaces of the floater, wherein the plurality of coupling assemblies each include:
 a sleeve coupled to the flywheel and defining an opening facing inward toward the floater; 
 a plurality of springs, each spring of the plurality of springs being positioned within a sleeve of the plurality of sleeves; 
 a plurality of engagement members slidably engaging the sleeves and protruding out of the sleeves into engagement with the floater. 
 
 
     
     
       6. The friction clutch system of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of sleeves each have a threaded outer surface engaged with a boss secured to the flywheel.